The NEW LACE
When Gwynnie stepped out onto the red carpet for the UK premiere of Iron Man in April 2008 she didn’t need to announce to the world that she was out of mommy hibernation. Her Balmain dress did the talking. That – and the legs – said loud and clear that ‘the husband’s on tour and the kids are in bed.’ If it wasn’t for the artfully casual tux jacket and mussed-up hair, we’d have wondered if Gwynnie wasn’t a bit too close to Soho, if you know what I mean. Even if she was in Leicester Square.
Lace has that effect on the consciousness. Until this season, that is, when Miuccia Prada paraded the most beautiful collection of couture lace made in Switzerland specially, and showed us how lace could be anything but slutty or grannyish. Whip-fierce shoes and blade-like necklaces cut through any hint of twee.
Luella’s spin on the fabric was more punk witch, and Stella McCarney’s more traditional Victoriana, but no question this was going to be a big trend for this season. This translation has been a challenge for the high street, and you only have to examine a piece of antique lace next to an Ann Summers basque to see why. But there is so much of it about you can afford to pick and choose, and it’s the spin on the trend that you’re going for, rather than the full Mrs Havisham.
PS. If you’re itching to ditch the look altogether, give a thought to lace tights by Wolford or Jonathan Aston.
Image Credit: style.com
Miuccia makes it happen: the cutting edge of demure for Prada A/W ‘08, and not a mothball in sight.
Image Credit: Metro.co.uk
Image Credit: marksandspencer.com
